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CHRISTIAN GIFTS
Ministry not just priesthood
By Father James J. Bacik
Effective religious education is tied
up with our whole approach to the
pastoral ministry. It is affected by the
way we conceive of the ministry and
by the ways we structure our service
to the community.
The importance of the relationship
is sharpened as more religious
educators are becoming part of parish
teams. I would like to discuss this
question of ministry in a series of
articles in order to clarify its
relationship to religious education.
It will be helpful to begin by
establishing a theological context for
the discussion. It is difficult to unravel
the Scriptural, historical and
theological factors involved.
Two important sources are "The
Church" by Hans Kung and "Theology
of Pastoral Action" by Karl Rahner.
The following summarizes some of their
thoughts. /
Ministry in the New Testament is
most generally described by the Greek
word 'diakonia" which indicates
humble service lovingly offered to
others for the purpose of building up
the community. The supreme example
of this type of service is found in the
life of Jesus and especially in his freely
accepted death. As a consequence, the
life style of Jesus becomes the ideal
for Jill of his followers.
All Christians have received the
Spirit and are called upon to give
witness in accord with their unique,
talents and gifts. Ministry is thus the
function of the whole Church and not
just of a few belonging to a priestly
caste.
This perspective suggests that we
will find a great variety of ministries
within the Christian comrmjnity. The
New Testament gives witness to this
fact. "To each is given the
manifestation of the Spirit for the
common good." (1 Cor. 12:7)
Some received a special gift called
charism to serve the community in a
more private and temporary fashion
by giving aid, exhorting, discerning
spirits, etc. Others such as apostles,
prophets, teachers, deacons, etc.,
minister on a more public and
permanent basis.
It is interesting that originally these
permanent services constituted distinct
groupings that interacted in a dynamic
fruitful tension. Historically this
situation has to a large extent broken
down.
Those known as prophets who
proclaimed the word of God and
celebrated the Eucharist disappeared
as a particular group by the third
century.
Over a period of time, bishops as
the successors to the apostles took to
themselves the systematic explanation
of the tradition which had been
exercised by the group known as
"teachers".
Deacons as well tended to disappear
as a functioning group.
In our days, the idea of ministry has
shrunk to such a degree that in the
popular mind it is virtually identified
with priesthood.
Therefore, a renewed understanding
of the pastoral ministry as exercised
by bishops and priests will demand
that we re-establish the context
provided by the early Church.
In other words, the pastoral
ministry must be seen as only one part
of a Christian ministry that is both
extensive and diversified. In this
perspective, the word- pastoral,
indicates a very specific type of
service. It is based on the New
Testament image of the shepherd who
guides and cares for his flock.
Translated into modern terms, it
indicates those especially
commissioned to lead the Christian
community.
The primary duty of pastors is to
proclaim the Gospel which establishes
and builds up the Christian
community. Pastors are in a dialectical
relationship with the rest of the
community. The Church needs
leadership and pastors are
commissioned to provide it by
officially preaching, baptizing,
speaking the words of forgiveness and
leading the celebration of the Lord's
Supper.
On the other hand, they remain part
of the community surrounded by
other legitimate and important
ministries.
Even this sketchy survey can
indicate a broader concept of ministry
and may suggest some of the
advantages of greater diversification.
Father Nowakowski
topic at Heidelberg
"Impact With God Crusades" will
present a talk by Father Jerome
Nowakowski, St. Adlabert associate
pastor, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at
Heidelberg College, Tiffin.
Father Nowakowski, active in the
Cursillo movement, will discuss his
experiences with the Holy Spirit in a
talk titled "I Came Alive."
The program will include a
smorgasbord. Donation is $5.

CHRISTIAN GIFTS
Ministry not just priesthood
By Father James J. Bacik
Effective religious education is tied
up with our whole approach to the
pastoral ministry. It is affected by the
way we conceive of the ministry and
by the ways we structure our service
to the community.
The importance of the relationship
is sharpened as more religious
educators are becoming part of parish
teams. I would like to discuss this
question of ministry in a series of
articles in order to clarify its
relationship to religious education.
It will be helpful to begin by
establishing a theological context for
the discussion. It is difficult to unravel
the Scriptural, historical and
theological factors involved.
Two important sources are "The
Church" by Hans Kung and "Theology
of Pastoral Action" by Karl Rahner.
The following summarizes some of their
thoughts. /
Ministry in the New Testament is
most generally described by the Greek
word 'diakonia" which indicates
humble service lovingly offered to
others for the purpose of building up
the community. The supreme example
of this type of service is found in the
life of Jesus and especially in his freely
accepted death. As a consequence, the
life style of Jesus becomes the ideal
for Jill of his followers.
All Christians have received the
Spirit and are called upon to give
witness in accord with their unique,
talents and gifts. Ministry is thus the
function of the whole Church and not
just of a few belonging to a priestly
caste.
This perspective suggests that we
will find a great variety of ministries
within the Christian comrmjnity. The
New Testament gives witness to this
fact. "To each is given the
manifestation of the Spirit for the
common good." (1 Cor. 12:7)
Some received a special gift called
charism to serve the community in a
more private and temporary fashion
by giving aid, exhorting, discerning
spirits, etc. Others such as apostles,
prophets, teachers, deacons, etc.,
minister on a more public and
permanent basis.
It is interesting that originally these
permanent services constituted distinct
groupings that interacted in a dynamic
fruitful tension. Historically this
situation has to a large extent broken
down.
Those known as prophets who
proclaimed the word of God and
celebrated the Eucharist disappeared
as a particular group by the third
century.
Over a period of time, bishops as
the successors to the apostles took to
themselves the systematic explanation
of the tradition which had been
exercised by the group known as
"teachers".
Deacons as well tended to disappear
as a functioning group.
In our days, the idea of ministry has
shrunk to such a degree that in the
popular mind it is virtually identified
with priesthood.
Therefore, a renewed understanding
of the pastoral ministry as exercised
by bishops and priests will demand
that we re-establish the context
provided by the early Church.
In other words, the pastoral
ministry must be seen as only one part
of a Christian ministry that is both
extensive and diversified. In this
perspective, the word- pastoral,
indicates a very specific type of
service. It is based on the New
Testament image of the shepherd who
guides and cares for his flock.
Translated into modern terms, it
indicates those especially
commissioned to lead the Christian
community.
The primary duty of pastors is to
proclaim the Gospel which establishes
and builds up the Christian
community. Pastors are in a dialectical
relationship with the rest of the
community. The Church needs
leadership and pastors are
commissioned to provide it by
officially preaching, baptizing,
speaking the words of forgiveness and
leading the celebration of the Lord's
Supper.
On the other hand, they remain part
of the community surrounded by
other legitimate and important
ministries.
Even this sketchy survey can
indicate a broader concept of ministry
and may suggest some of the
advantages of greater diversification.
Father Nowakowski
topic at Heidelberg
"Impact With God Crusades" will
present a talk by Father Jerome
Nowakowski, St. Adlabert associate
pastor, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at
Heidelberg College, Tiffin.
Father Nowakowski, active in the
Cursillo movement, will discuss his
experiences with the Holy Spirit in a
talk titled "I Came Alive."
The program will include a
smorgasbord. Donation is $5.